Beauty Snippets

Happy Friday Mavens! Check out some Beauty snippets from WWD. Have a Happy and Safe Labor Day weekend!

xo

Nailah & Yvette

LAURA DELUISA LAROCCA WANTS TO spark a skin care gold rush.

The 41-year-old, who founded the Southern California makeup brand DuWop with Christina Bartolucci, has set out on her own with Rocca, a skin care line infused with 24-karat gold in a so-called Cellular Gold Complex. Rocca is priced from $75 to $150 retail and is scheduled for a September launch in Los Angeles’ Apothia at Fred Segal.
“Gold adds antimicrobial properties and anti-inflammatory properties,” said LaRocca. “It gives the products a kick — and it’s so pretty.”

PANGEA ORGANICS

Pangea Organics is helping make the case that organic skin care products have reached their tipping point this year. The Boulder, Colo.-based brand made its HSN debut Thursday, is launching next week at Harvey Nichols in Hong Kong, will hit Macy’s shelves in October and, in the spring, will enter Sephora stores in Europe. Pangea founder Joshua Onysko estimated the brand has tripled its distribution in the past year and will be available in 2,000 doors by the end of this year. He added that Pangea has experienced growth surpassing 650 percent in the past 20 months and expects to generate some $10 million in sales this year.

DEMETER FRAGRANCES

Demeter Fragrance Library, the company that brought fragrances named Dirt and Baby Powder to specialty stores, is now getting sweet on the mass market.

In addition to its signature offbeat fragrances, Demeter has the rights to several candy names, such as Jelly Belly, Necco and the Tootsie Roll master license, which includes Junior Mint and Dots. The latest candy license from Demeter is Hershey and will include Hershey’s Kisses, Special Dark, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup and Jolly Rancher Green Apple. On the drawing board are scents based on Pop-Tarts.

Initially, the candy licenses were sold in retailers such as Urban Outfitters and victoriassecret.com, but are now being offered to major chains. The company expects to ship the sweet scents into mass doors in early 2009.

CLARINS FIRMING SERUM

Clarins USA is touting what it describes as a natural alternative to cosmetic procedures with the launch of Extra-Firming Tightening Lift Botanical Serum.

The product, which is rolling out now, also is aimed at bolstering Clarins’ key Extra-Firming franchise, while consolidating its hold on the serum category.

Although Clarins does not break out sales figures or budgets, industry sources calculate that the Extra-Firming stable of products generates an annual total of about $16 million at wholesale.

Liquid Liner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love black eyeliner. If I’m in a rush and can’t put on makeup, I just line my lids with some liner and I’m good to go! However, I’ve never been good at putting on liquid eyeliner. It always ends up looking shaky and scraggly – like I applied it while sitting on a bus. Here are some tips for getting perfectly lined lids with liquid eyeliner. Hope it helps!

Tip 1: Shake the tube before you begin the application to smooth out any clumps in the tube. A smoother product equals a smoother line.

Tip 2: To keep your hand steady, trying resting your elbow on a table.

Tip 3: Start drawing in the center of your upper lash-line, following the curve of your eyelid. If you find drawing a straight line difficult you can use pencil eyeliner and create a few dashes. Then with the point liner brush of the liquid eyeliner, try to connect these dashes.

Tip 4: For maximum control, start out thin. You can add layers of color later for a thicker result.

Try Almay Liquid Liner – its felt tip marker-like point makes it great for beginners

And hey, if it doesn’t work at first just start over and try again!

n*

Wake Up Sleepy Head!

I woke up late today. I’m a morning person so it’s rare for me to sleep past my alarm but I was definitely tired this morning. And I looked it. Here are some tips from Glamour for looking awake when you most definitely are not.

Step #1: De-puff

First, wash your face with cool water—it’ll tone down any swelling better than your usual warm-water rinse. Pat dry, then use your ring finger to gently tap on a soothing eye gel (the tapping motion helps reduce those under-eye bags) or roll on one of the new eye gels with built-in massagers, also great for zapping puffiness (try Pearl Eyes by Inka TriBall Roll On)

 

Step #2: Moisturize

Tired skin can look dehydrated, so smooth on a lotion that contains what pros call light diffusers—teensy particles of glimmer that (ingeniously) deflect attention away from dullness (try Freeze 24-7 Freeze and Go, $65,spacenk.com). For extra wake-up power, store it in the fridge—chilled lotion feels amazing after a rough night

 

Step #3: Take cover

Yes, you’re exhausted, but you’re going to need just a little bit of energy to tackle blotchy red patches and dark spots. Start by evening out your skin with a sheer foundation like By Terry Light-Expert Perfecting Foundation. Then dab concealer on these prime offenders:

• Under your eyes
• At the inner corners of your eyes, by the bridge of your nose
• Around your nostrils
• In between your eyebrows

When you’re done, use a clean makeup sponge to blend the edges of your concealer so you don’t end up with obvious lines, and dust on a loose powder with a subtle sheen to fake a glow.

 

Step #4: Brighten up

A little color makes a big difference when you need to look wide-awake ASAP. Rub a pinky cream blush like Scott Barnes Creme Color in Bloom ($24, scottbarnes.com) on the apples of your cheeks to fake a healthy-looking flush, then dab on a bright-but-sheer pink gloss. Finish by curling your lashes and swiping on a deep blue mascara like Diorshow Mascara in Azure Blue ($23,sephora.com)—it’ll make the whites of your eyes look brighter, so it’s a better bet than your usual black.

 

Step #5: Get dressed, do your hair

It’s temping to reach for that black turtleneck, but a lighter, brighter hue will cast a warmer glow on your face, making you look much more awake. When it comes to hair, avoid anything that looks too droopy—you want to direct the eye upward, so go with a chic high ponytail or twist rather than a low ponytail or just-hanging-there layers. Still feeling tuckered? Well, there’s always Starbucks.

n*

Natural Glow

 

There’s nothing more beautiful than natural, glowing skin. Check out Glamour’s tips to getting fall’s chic, sexy versions of the natural look. There’s one for every skin tone!

If your skin is fair…

“Natural” for you generally means rosy, slightly pinkish colors. Overwhelmend by the sea of choices at the makeup counter? “Gently bite your bottom lip and pinch your cheeks. The colors that pop up are your perfect nudes,” says Bobbi Brown, the makeup artists known for helping women look like natural beauties. Just don’t go too light on your lips: “It’ll make you look washed out, ” cautions Brown. “the idea is to add color to your face, not take it away!”   

• Natural makeup looks best on evened-out skin. Try Revlon ColorStay Mineral Foundation in Fair ($14, at drugstores).
• For allover glow: Shiseido The Makeup Accentuating Color Stick in Champagne Flush ($32, Sephora)
• Four blendable colors, one sweet flush. Guerlain Blush 4 Éclats in Rosée Du Printemps ($48,Nordstrom).
• For lips and cheeks: Finger-blend! Givenchy Pocket Beauty Case in Sweet Dandy ($55, Sephora).
• The ideal barely there rose. Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Pale Mauve ($22, Bobbi Brown).

 

If your skin is medium . . .

You’ve got lots of wiggle room when you’re shopping for shades, since you’re smack dab in the middle of the skin-tone spectrum. Play around with pinks, browns, whatever! Try pairing a bronzy-pink blush with a pale, shiny lip gloss. Some good rules of thumb no matter what flavor your skin is: Pick a creamy texture. “Sheer nudes look like nothing,” says Brown. And to add wattage for night, use lots of mascara and smudge a shimmery powder on the inner corners of your eyes.

 

• Go darker on lids, lighter above the crease. Revlon Beyond Natural Cream to Powder Eye Shadow in Plumberry ($8, at drugstores).
• Your everyday, no-brainer shade. Laura Mercier Lip Colour in Dusk ($22, Laura Mercier).
• Layer it on any color for sexy shine. Smashbox Wicked Lovely Lip Gloss in Sweet ($18, Smashbox).
• Sweep it along your cheekbones. Smashbox Wicked Lovely Blush Rush in Charm ($24, Smashbox).
• Add grown-up sparkle. Flirt! Shimmer Rocks All Over Illuminator in Peach Glow ($16, Kohls)
• Try a deeper nude at night. Dior Ultra-Gloss Reflect in Lace Beige ($25, Sephora)

 

If your skin is dark . . .

Bronze is your happy color: Warm, brown-based hues bring out the glow of deep complexions. Play around with the new shimmery coppers and mochas for eyes and cheeks; metallic flecks look extra gorgeous on you. “Or just use a dark bronzer,” says Brown. For lips, one shade does not fit all. If your mouth is pinkish do a lighter color. If yours is more browny, try a caramel gloss or a rich, chocolaty shade. In general, says Brown, “You know it’s a good nude for you if it works with no other makeup on.”

 

• A nude wardrobe for your lids. YSL 5 Colour Harmony for Eyes in N°1 ($56, Yves Saint Laurent).
• Dust on brow bones. Estée Lauder Creme Caramel Shimmer Powder ($32, Estée Lauder).
• Dresses up lips and your makeup bag. Estée Lauder Pure Color Swirl Gloss in Caramel Swirl ($18, Estée Lauder)
• Tap on lipstick for that stain effect. MAC Lipstick in Dangerously Hot ($14, MAC Cosmetics)
• Look like you’re not wearing a thing. Prestige Skin Loving Fresh Glow Baked Mineral Blush in Natural ($8, at drugstores)

n*

Dark, Vampy Lips

We’ve all seen the new Fall Palettes. They’re full of super dark, seductive colors, which look stunning on models and celebrities but can the average Beauty Maven pull the look off? Here are some tips to getting the dark lip look without looking like Marilyn Manson.

Add shine to update the look from the dark, matte lips of the 90’s. Define your lips with a deep black cherry shade like Wicked Lovely Lip Pencil in Tempt. Loosely line your lips and fill them in with the pencil to create a long lasting base color. Top it with a sheer black cherry glossy shade like Wicked Lovely Lip Gloss in Sultry to complete the whole lip look nicely. Finish with bronzer on your cheeks – the last thing you want with dark lips is pale skin. Try YSL Rouge Pur Lipstick in Purple Velvet and Dior Creme de Gloss in Delicious Plum for a more 

 

If you’re more adventurous try going super goth-glam with a black lip. A good way to try on the trend is with a lower-pigment black lipgloss, such as Lancome’s Color Fever Gloss in Piha Black, which will be debuting in November. Part of the luxe lip set is Color Fever Lipstick in Piha Red, inspired by the red of a Christian Louboutin sole. Mix the two colors together for a dark, sultry look. 

  

n*

Beauty Maven of the Week

 

50 is the new 30!

The Queen of Pop turned 50 this month, she looks amazing!  Maybe we should start doing pilates and yoga too!!

vettie

Back to the Basics

These days I’ve been trying to keep my beauty routine very natural and organic. Lets face it, all of the homemade solutions our grandparents made for their ailments are probably what we should be using. I was in Florida visiting my parents recently and mum had some boiled garlic tea in the fridge.  I had a half of a glass every  morning with her and felt so great!  I wasn’t stuffy like I usually am and my skin was looking very clear and bright.  Mum also had pure cocoa directly from the cocoa tree that a friend brought for her from Barbados, you just grate the bark and it gives you the best hot cocoa fill with lots of antioxidants. My skin was just glowing and smooth, and my body felt so healthy and  strong.  Since returning home I haven’t had any Garlic tea and my cocoa bark is sitting in the cupboard but I promise that this weekend I’ll get back on my regimen. Do you have an homemade Beauty routines that you swear by? Let us know!

vettie

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/15/unlocking-the-benefits-of-garlic/

http://www.uspharmacist.com/index.asp?show=article&page=8_1210.htm

Beauty with a Cause

To help fight breast cancer, Sephora is offering a collection of pink ribbon products. Each participating brand will donate a portion of the proceeds to organization helping raise awareness and find a cure. See, just because we’re obsessed with beauty doesn’t mean we’re shallow!

 

Balmshell Lipgloss 

What it is:

A slightly flavored, conditioning lip gloss with very unique packaging.

What it is formulated to do:
This unique formula creates a smooth high gloss finish to enhance and give the appearance of full supple lips. Balmshell is slightly flavored with a hint of natural fruity vanilla. All 15 shades are moisturizing and non-sticky, but vary in sparkle and shimmer.

What else you need to know:
Like every woman, each Balmshell shade has a unique personality and comes in a distinctively packaged tube that contains a moving illustration unique to each shade and story line. When the lip-gloss is done, the handle can be unscrewed and re-attached to the keychain provided with the product.

*The 1 In 8 lip gloss was designed to educate people and to promote awareness of breast cancer. Between two blossoming trees hang eight bras varied in size, color, style, and shape symbolic of the many different types of women. As the tube of gloss is tilted, a hot pink target slides back and forth. Reinforcing the statistic that approximately 1 in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. $1 from every 1 In 8 lip gloss sold will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).

 

Lacoste Touch of Pink

Touch of Pink triggers a delicious feeling of freedom and independence for the vivacious woman. Feminine heart notes of jasmine and violet are blended with fresh, fizzy notes of coriander leaves and blood orange, and soothed with soft sandalwood, musk, and vanilla.

*A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of each 1.6 oz Eau de Toilette Spray will be donated to the Young Survival Coalition, an organization that lends help and support to young women with Breast Cancer.

 

Notes:
Coriander Leaves, Blood Orange, Cardamom, Jasmine, Violet Leaves, Carrot Seed Oil, Sandalwood, Musk, Vanilla.
Style:
Whimsical. Daring. Captivating.

 

Murad Energizing Pomegranate Lip Protector SPF 15
What it is:
A lip treatment infused with antioxidant pomegranate extract.

What it is formulated to do:
Pomegranate Lip Therapy revitalizes and protects dry, dehydrated lips by improving texture to restore suppleness and infusing antioxidants to fight free radicals.

 

*10% of the retail purchase price will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

 

Korres Quince Body Butter

What it is:
A divinely rich, quince-scented smoothing cream for dry elbows, heels, and knees.

What it is formulated to do:
The emollient balm can also be used over the entire body, preferably onto warm, damp skin, after bathing to lock-in moisture.

 

Be beautiful and make a difference!

n*

Grace’s Healing Center

 

So you regular readers know that my spa finding buddy, Kiana and I have been on a mission to find the best, reasonably priced spas in Southern California. We’ve lucked out with a few- Dashing Diva, Touch Massage Boutique- and struck out with others- Sunset Foot Spa- but it’s always a fun adventure. Last week, one of the LWLers recommended Grace’s Healing Spa Center to the group and let us know about an amazing special: 1 hour massage or facial, full body sugar scrub and a detox soak all for $70. Needless to say, Kiana and I were game to check it out. 

 

Grace’s Healing Center is in an old converted house on La Brea in Hollywood so it had a really neat, cozy feel to it. My massage therapist, Jeuney was great! She was really attentive and gave a fantastic massage. I fell asleep several times during the hour. I tend to hold a lot of tension in my shoulders and I really felt like she worked out all of the knots. Following the massage, was the full body scrub, which was incredible. Anyone who knows me knows that I love, love, love a good body scrub and this one did not disappoint. The scrub was made of organic bamboo salt and smelled delicious. I was in body scrub heaven! Once I was all scrubbed down, I went and soaked in a steaming hot bamboo tub filled with aromatic oils. I just melted. My skin felt so buttery soft. The whole session lasted about an hour and a half and was well worth $70. I would definitely return.

 

Now, Kiana’s experience was slightly different. Not bad. Just different. So because her experience was more of a little adventure I’ll let her tell you herself in her own words….

 

As a former journalism major I pride myself on mastering the fine art of summarizing a lengthy tale into 500 words or less, however my experience at Grace Healing Spa Center knocks any of my previous tales out of the water. Like Nailah, my one hour adventure at Grace’s was worth the $70, considering I left with more information than I bargained for and a new found appreciation for my own nakedness. I won’t go into all of the hilarious nudity-filled details (and trust me, they are so absurd all I can do is laugh) because I’m too embarrassed to divulge everything here. However, I must mention that I asked Grace more than once if she was sure she wanted me to take off all of my clothes and she repeatedly told me yes, and so, I complied.

 Grace started off with the full body scrub, which was slightly awkward since I’ve already mentioned she answered yes to the aforementioned question, even though there was no sheet, only a tiny towel, to cover my ummm, well…take a wild guess. Despite the sheer look of grief plastered on my face throughout the whole scrub down, I have to admit that the sugar scrub (concocted by Grace) smelled and felt absolutely delightful. My skin felt ultra soft for the rest of the week.

 After the scrub Grace proceeded to take me into the detox room, which I’m sure I would have enjoyed just as much as Nailah if I wasn’t so worried about sweating out my newly acquired press and curl.  Word to the wise: avoid the detox room if you have any issues with messing up your hair, otherwise you will spend the entire time wondering how it is possible for so much water to come out of your body, while trying to figure out a way to salvage your roots.

 Next came by far the most bizarre portion of the massage. Grace spent most of the time working on my legs trying to make the “cellulite disappear” (her words, not mine).  The leg rubbing was followed by some sort of pulsating device placed on my stomach, and six things that felt like clothes-pins squeezed onto my back. In between that, there was a brief encounter with a healing stone. All this occurred while she diagnosed me with an overheated kidney, intestinal problems, and a bad knee. She also informed me that I’m overstressed, think too much, and I eat too many cold foods. The whole session ended with Grace getting on the massage table with me and showing me several stretches designed to make me stronger, less stressed, and apparently cool down my kidneys.

 Once again, I would like to reiterate that all of this occurred with Grace having answered yes to the “are you sure you want me to take off all of my clothes” question. And, I only complied because I was almost certain that Nailah was experiencing the same thing with her masseuse. I assumed that this is what happens at some spas, if not, at this one. To say the least, when the whole ordeal was finished I was surprised that Nailah’s experience was the total opposite of mine.

 Surprisingly, I would return to Grace’s because even though she pointed out a problem with the wrong body part, she did manage to stop most of the pain I’ve been experiencing in my lower back. On a scale from 1 to 10, the pain has dropped from a nine to a three. Also, the stretches she recommended have been working and I wouldn’t mind learning more from her, with less nudity, of course.

Grace’s Healing Spa Center

1319 N. La Brea Ave

Hollywood, CA 90028

323.876.7708

www.gracehealingcenter.com

 

N* & Kiana

The Luxurious World of La Mer

 

 

I had the pleasure of being invited to a product knowledge presentation for the newest product by La Mer, Hydrating Infusion.  I’ve been a long time fan of Creme de la Mer, I love the way it leaves my face glowing and I usually rub it between my finger tips to soften it up and pat it on my skin.  The result for me is always beautiful, soft skin so when I was invited to the PK for the new product I was very excited.

The Hydrating Infusion is great. The idea behind it is to saturate the skin with a wave of hydration using a  high-potency treatment preparing the skin  to absorb your moisturizer:

The Hydrating Infusion’s vital ingredients – vitamins, minerals, tourmaline and Hydrating Ferments – are suspended within a serum-like gel network. This interactive sea gel works with exclusive Deconstructed Waters™ to deliver extraordinary activity on demand.

Some folks may scoff at paying $95 for this product but I for one am all about hydrated, beautiful, youthful skin and La Mer is worth every penny.

Do you all have an item that you’re willing to pay  the big bucks for? What’s your beauty spurge?

vettie